'No evidence' of systemic race fixing in Victoria

Racing commissioner finds race fixing is not a systemic problem in Victoria

7pm TV News VIC

Victoria's Racing Integrity Commissioner says he has found no evidence of systemic race fixing in the state's thoroughbred, harness or greyhound industries.

Commissioner Sal Perna launched an inquiry into allegations that top jockeys and industry figures were involved in money laundering, tax fraud and the release of inside information to punters.

After a probe into 30 races, Mr Perna has released a report saying there was no evidence of race fixing, but he has listed 11 recommendations to improve integrity and public confidence in the industry.

Mr Perna said that while current evidence did not show race fixing was a systemic issue, recent incidents provided an opportunity to meet a range of challenges in the industry.

"The public confidence in integrity in racing has been damaged," he said.

"The time is right for cultural, organisational and legislative change to restore that confidence and ensure that Victoria can rightly be proud to claim the mantle as the leading racing state and sporting capital of the country."

In Victoria during 2011-12, there were 4,355 races involving 42,919 starters, yet neither police nor racing officials have substantiated any allegations of race fixing to date.

However, Mr Perna said additional powers or further information might change his view.

"Whilst I have seen a great deal of excellent work undertaken by the racing controlling bodies and other key stakeholders, much has been reactive to identified shortcomings and has only scratched the surface," he said.

Mr Perna said the current powers of the IRC were inadequate to address the current needs of the industry.

He also called for a change in culture, saying jockeys betting on races was widely known within the industry and undermined public confidence.

Mr Perna recommended betting by jockeys be made a serious offence.

He also called for a specialised police unit to deal with criminal activity within all three race codes.

We weren't set up as an investigative body and I would have had that as an advantage if I was able to bring people in and ask them questions.

Commissioner Sal Perna

The Commissioner conceded his findings might have been different he was given wider powers.

"We weren't set up as an investigative body and I would have had that as an advantage if I was able to bring people in and ask them questions," he said.

"I think that's what we need to do moving forward.

"But I'm confident the findings we have reflect what the state of the industry is."

He says it is time to up the ante.

"There's more things that can be done, and can be done better than what we've done."

A police investigation into race fixing is continuing.

'Significant change'

Racing Minister Denis Napthine says it is an important finding for the state's $2 billion racing industry and for those who bet on Victorian races.

"Victoria has the very best racing in Australia, if not the world, and we have good racing integrity measures," he said.

He says the Government has invested $4 million in improving drug testing procedures in racing animals, helped upgrade stewards' racecourse facilities, and recently asked the Racing Integrity Commissioner to conduct a review of Racing Victoria's handling of the Damien Oliver betting inquiry.